Automatic stopping mechanism for railway-trains.



W. J. WILGUS. AUTOMATIC STOPPING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 13. 1-908.

Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

"WILLIAM J. N ILGUS,

AUTOMATIC STOPPING MECHANISM FOR Specification of Letters Patent.

or NEW-YORK, N. Y.

RAILWAY-TRAINS.

. Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

Application filed August; 13, 1908. Serial No. 448,320.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. \Vnous, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York city, county of New York, and

State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Stopping Mechanism for Railway-Trains, fully described andrepresented in the following specification andthe accompanying drawings,forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in automatic stoppingmechanisms for railway trains.

In the operation of railways, and particularly in the operation ofelectrically oper- I ated railways on which high speed and frequentservice is maintained, it is desirable that the trains be provided withstopping devices which shall operate to prevent a train from movingunder certain conditions, as, for instance, to prevent a train frompassing a signal which is in stop position. It is also de irable that,under some circumlbinaticns as will be hereinafter fully described andthen, specifically pointed out.

Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic'plan view of asection of a railroad equipped with one form of automatic stoppingmechanis embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view ofa railroad equipped with another form of automatic stopping-mechanismembodying the invention. Fig. 3 isa diagrammatic plan view of a sectionof railroad equipped with still a third form of. stopping mechanismembodying the invention.

The invention is more particularly intended for use in connection withrailways the motive power of which is electricity, though it may beembodied in constructions which are useful in connection with rail--ways operated diy motive power other than I electricity. \Vhen theinvention is embodied l in constructions intended to be usedinconnection with electrically operated railways the usual workingconductor will be cmi l l i l t stances, it shall be possible for adriver to I ployed,which in the. construction illustrated enter a blockwhere the signal is set against in Fi'g.' 1 is marked 1. This conductormay be 7 him and proceed with caution through block.

It is one of the objects of this invention l the third rail type,

to provide a stopping mechanism which depends for its action on thechange ofcondition, whether physical or electrical, of a shortcontrolling section. the change incondition of said section beingcontrolled by a block circuit depending for its operation on thepresence in saidcircuit or the absence from it of a car or train.. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved stoppingmechanism which shall be of such a character that the driver of thetrain will be prevented from moving the train when itshould be' broughtto a stop without his being apprised of the fact, the construction beingsuch, however, that the driver may, after he has been ap-' prised thatthe train should be brought to a stop, cause it to move under certainconditions.

The invention further extends to certain other improvements and also tocertain de-' and in certain parts, improvements and comthis of any usualdescription, such, for in tance, as a'third rail or an over-headconductor, however, being shown. It is, of course, to be understood thatthe ply the current which furnishes the motive primary function of thisconductor is to suppower for the motorsof the trains, wheretheelectrically operated trains. comotive or car is indicated at 2, saidlocomotive or car being represented asattached to other cars, asindicated at 3.

will include a plurality sections which will be located alongside thetrack and near the working conductor when the invention is employed inconnection with electrically operated railways. constructions embodyingcontrolling sections will be in line with the, working conductor. In theparticular con- ;marked 4. The purpose of these short controllingsections is to control through proper agencies the stopping devices on acar. locomotive or train so as to a stop under the proper conditionsgas,for instance. when a sign is driver of the car or train.

invention is employed in connection with An electric lo- Constructionsembodying the invention of short controlling In' the best the inventionthese 'struc'tions shown the controlling sections are to bring the caror tramet against the While the length of these controlling sections maybe varied they should not be longer than the length of the train, and inthe best construttions emcontrolling sections co-act with stopping 'deVices on the car and the sections will be so arranged that theircondition may be varied or changed so as to permit the passage of oreffect the stopping of a car or train. This change of condition may beeither a physical change, as, for instance, a change in location of thecontrolling section, or it may be a change in electrical condition,according to the characteristics of the constructions in which theinvention is embodied.

\Vhile the means employed for producing the change in condition referredto may be varied, in the best constructions they will include blockcircuits which govern the operation' of the condition changing means,the action of these block circuits being determined by the presencetherein or the absence therefrom of a car or train.

Referring more particularly to the'construction illustrated in Fig. 1,the controlling sections 4 are arranged so that they are readily movableinto and out of line with the working conductor, the movements beingproduced by suitable motor mechanism indicated in this figure by anelcctromagnet 5, the

' movement of the section in opposition to that of the magnet beingettected by a spring indicated at 6.

It will be understood, of course, that the motor mechanism may be widelyvaried in its construction, the magnet illustrated being merely adiagrammatic showing of means to be employed, and the means operating inopposition thereto, herein illustrated as a spring, may be also of anysuitable construc tion. In the best constructions the condition changingmeans for the controlling section will be electrically operated, theconstruction being such that the controlling section while normally incondition to permit the car or train to pass, will, upon anydisarrangement of the controlling section, be changed so as to etfectthe stopping of the car or train,

In the particular construction illustrated in Fig. 1 the motor indicatedat 5 operates on a closed circuit, the power for the motor 'beingderived from a suitable source of elec- I trical energy, such as abattery 7. From this battery a current is led through a conductor 8,which, as illustrated, contains a circuit breaker 9, and anotherconductor 10, to the motor mechanism, the ground for the motor beingindicated at 11. As a signal will almost invariably be used inconnection with each controlling section, such a signalis inaaaawenergy, such as a battery 7, by means of a I branch Wire-14, the groundfor this motor mechanism being indicated at 15. In the particularconstruction illustrated in Fig. 1

- the controlling sections t are in circuit with "the working conductor,being connected thereto by flexible bonds indicated at 16.

It has heretofore been indicated that the condition of the controllingsection will be normally such as topermit the passage of the car ortrain and, in the construction shown in Fig. l, the motor mechanismoperating, as has been stated, operates on a closed circuit, which holdsthe controlling section in this position. In the constructionsillustrated the operation of this closed circuit is determined by blockcircuits extending for a considerable distance from the controllingsection and its condition changing mechanism. These block circuits, asshown, are of such character that the operations effected by them aredue to the presence of a car in or the absence of a car from aparticular circuit or circuits. \Vhile these circuits may be variouslyarranged, in the constructions shown these circuits are formed in partby rails which may be divided into suitable sections by insulatedsupports 1;". In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 these governingcircuits include a source of electrical energy, as, for instance, abattery ductor 25 leads back to the battery. The v circuit breaker 9heretofore referred to forms or carries the armature of the magnet 22,so that when the magnet is energized the armature completes the circuit,as illustrated in Fig. 1. Should, however, a car or train be present inthe block circuit, as is indi cated by the axle and wheels marked 26 atthe right hand end of Fig. 1, the magnet 22 will be short circuited.This will permit the-armature 9 to move, breaking the circuit throughthe motor mechanism 5, thus rendering the mechanism inoperative to holdthe movable section 4 in its normal position. This section willtherefore be moved out of line with the working conductor by the spring6, as indicated at the right hand end of Fig. 1. At the same time themagnet 13 which controls the position of the signal is 'deenergized andthe semaphore arm will be thrown up into stop position by suitablemeans, such as a spring, not shown.

In constructions embodying the invention the change in condition bfacontrolling sec- 2O \Vhen the magnet is energized and its armationvaries its relation with respect to stpping mechanism which will becarried on a car or train andwhich may embody collector shoes 27suitably mounted on t e car. These shoes, through suitable connec ions'to be hereinafter referred to, control the action of the stoppingdevices, which may be madeeffective through the braking mechanism of thecar.

. While the particular construction of stopping devices illustrated maybe varied, in

the best constructions they will include an actuator which will beelectrically operated. As shown. this actuator includes a sliding rod 28which is suitably connected with the -armature 29 of'an electromagnet30, the

pull of the magnet being resisted by a suitable spring 31. This actuatormay control a valve in the main train pipe 32, the easing for this valvebeing indicated at 33.

ture is held over. the actuator rod is inoperative. lVhen, however, thecircuit is broken the actuator is free to move and thus to open thetrain-pipe valve and vent the pipe. The construction by which this valveis operated being well known. it is not illustrated.

If it be desired to effect the stopping of the train not only byapplying the brakes but also by cutting off the power. the actuator rodmay carry a suitable circuit breaker.

not shown. which will bridge a pair of terminals in the wiring of themotor.

The actuator may operate on a closed circuit so that any defect ordisarrangement of the apparatus may be immediately noticed.

As shown, the main line wire of the actua-' tor circuit is indicated at34:, this wlre hav ing branches leading to the collectors 27, of whichfour are shown, as four would usually be employed. The branches leadingto'one.

set of collectors are marked 35 and those leading to the other set ofcollectors are marked 36. The main line wire 341eads to the magnet 30,before described, and the ground of this magnet is marked 37. It will bereadily understood. that any interruption in this circuit will at oncedeenergize the magnet 30 and cause the actuator to vent the train pipein the mannerdescribed.

Referring to the construction shown in Fig. 1 and already described, itwill be understood that if the motor mechanism indicated at 5 isoperating to hold the controlling section in line with the working open,as will be the case when a car is in theblock circuit governing thismotor mechanism circuit, then the controllin' section will be shift inposition so that as the car cause the magnet 30 .-to be deenergized andthe brakes set.

As has been indicated, instead of produc:

a physical change in the controlling section, as by shifting itsposition in the manner already described and illustrated in Fig. 1, thecondition of this controlling section may be changed by varyingits-electrical condition. One means of etl'ecting this is illustrated inFig. 2. In the construction shown in this figure the controlling section4 is fixed in line with the working conductor but is insulated therefromby insulating connections illustrated at 38, 39, the working conductorcurrent being carried around the controlling sections 4 by conductors40. In this construction the controlling sections will be supplied withcurrent from a suitable source of electrical energy, as, for instance,thebattery indicated at 7 and before referred to as operating the motormechanism 5, the circuits being the same as those before describedexcept that the conductor 10 instead of leading to the motor mechanismleads to' the controlling section 4. With this construction when a carreaches the controlling section it theclosed circuit is in conditionto'suppl'y current to the controlling section there will be no operationof the braking mechanism. If, however, the circuit leading from thesource of electrical energy? to the controlling section lsopen,

as will be the case when a car is in the block governing circuit, nocurrent will be supplied to thecsection at and. the brakes will beoperated in the manner hereinbefore referred to.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 3' illustrates anothermeans forchanging .the

electrical condition of the short controlling sections so as to vary therelation between it and the electrical stopping mechanism of the car. Inthis construction the controlling sections l are located in the workingconductor and are connected with it by means of re-actance bonds 4:1.A"generator is located at 42. which supplies a current to. the main lineconductor which is different in lts characte'risticsfrom those of thepropulsion current, which also passes through the conductor, there-actance bonds before referred to preventing the passage of thecurrent from the generator 42 but permitting the passage of-thepropulsion current. The current from the generator 42 is carried to theworking conductor through branches and 45 and to the short controllingsections by means of branches 46 and &7. These branches 46 and 47 may beopened by 011'.- cuit breakers 48, which circuit. breakers may alsocontrol a local circuit 49 leading from a suitable source of electricalenergy, as battery 7, for operating the magnet 13 of the 7 ingconductor, of a plurality of single short .the car will be operated inthe manner heretofore described.

In practical railroading it is frequently desirable and sometimesnecessary for the driver of a train to pass a signal set against him andproceed at caution to the next signal. lVhile with the short controllingsections-it might be possible to cause the train to coast the gap bygetting up sufiicient speed, even though the brakes were set and thepower cut off, yet this would produce an undesirable strain on theequipment and cause annoyance to passengers.

In the best constructions embodying the invention, therefore, means willbe provided whereby the driver may prevent the action of the stoppingdevices which would otherwise be produced by the change in condition ofthe short controlling sections. This means may include a suitable detentor locking mechanism for the actuator which may be electricallyoperated. In the particular construction shown the actuator rod isnotched as is illustrated at 51, the notch bein arranged to be engagedby a locking boIt which is carried on the armature 52 of anelectromagnet53. This magnet may be energized from a source of electrical energy, as,for instance, a battery 54., from which is led a conductor 55, thisconductor terminating at a switch 56. From this switch a conductor 57leads to the magnet 53. From this magnet another conductor 58 leads backto the battery. It is obvious that the driver by closing the switch 56can lock the actuator mechanism so that it will not be operated eventhough the magnet 30 should be denergized in the manner hereinbeforedescribed.

Changes and variations may be made in the constructions by which theinvention is carried into effect. therefore, to be limited to theparticular constructions heretofore described and illustrated in theaccompanyingdrawings.

Certain novel features shown but not claimed herein are claimed in acompanion application No. 422,430,.filed March 21, 1908.

What I claim is 1. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, thecombination with a workcontrolling sections arranged in line with theconduEtor, meansior changing the con- The invention is not,

acacia dition of eachof said sections, so as to render it operative orinoperative with respect to stopping devices mounted on a car, and blockcircuits for governing the operation of said condition changing means,the action of said circuits being determined by the presence of a cartherein or the absence of acartherefrom.

2. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination witha working conductor, of a plurality of single short controlling sectionsarranged in line with the conductor, means for changing the condition ofeach of said sections, so as to render it operative or ino erative withrespectto stopping devices ounted on the car, block circuits torgoverning the operation of said condition changing means, the

action of each of said circuits being determined by the presence of acar therein or the absence of a car therefrom, and signals, theindications of which are changed to correspond with the change inconditionof a controlling section.

3. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination witha working conductor, of a pluralityof single short controlling sectionsarranged in line with the conductor, electrically operated devices forchanging the condition of said controlling sections, each of saiddevices including a normally closed circuit, and block circuits forcontrolling each normally closed circuit, said block circufts beingrendered inoperative to hold the controlling circuits closed by thepresenceof a car in a block.

4:. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combinationwith a working conductor, of a plurality of single short controllingsections arranged in line with the conductor, electrically'operateddevices for changing the condition of said controlling section's, eachof said devices including a normally closed circuit, block circuits forcontrolling each normally closed circuit,

said block circuits being rendered inoperative to hold the controllingcircuits closed by the presence of acarin the block, and signals, theindications of which changed to correspond with the condition of thecorresponding controlling sections.

5. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combination witha working conductor, of a plurality of short movable controllingsections each of said sections being in circuit with a source ofelectrical energy and in line with the working conductor, a car havingstopping devices, and means for producing movement of said sectionswhereby a section may be rendered operative or inoperative with respectto stopping devices mounted on the car.

6. In an automatic stopping mechanism for raiiways, the combination witha work: ing-conductor, of a plurality of controllingare - of thepositioning mechanism.

8. In an automatic stopping mechanism for'railways, the combination witha working-conductor, of a plurality of short movablecontrolling-sections each section being.

in circuit with a source of electrical energy and in line with theworking conductor, a positioning mechanism for each of said sections,signals, .and means for efiecting the operation of the signals.

9. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways,.the combination witha working-conductor, of a plurality of short movablecontrolling-sections each section being in circuit with a sourceof-electrical energ and inline with the working conductor, a positioningmechanism for eachof said secpositioning mechanism and .tions, and meansincluding block circuits for controlling the operation of thepositioning mechanism. 10. In an automatic stopping mechanism forrailways, the combination with a work ing-condu'ctor, of' a plurality ofshort movable controlling-sections each section being. in circuit with asource of electrical energy" and in line with the working conductor, apositioning mechanism for each of said sections, signals, and meansincluding block circuits for controlling the operation of thepositioning mechanism and the signals.

11. In an automatic stopping mechanism v for railways, the combinationwith a working conductor, of a plurality of short movablecontrolling-sections said sections being in circuit with a source ofelectrical energy and in line with the working conductor, a

motor for determining the position of each section, and connections forautomatically controlling the operation of the motors.

12. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combinationwith a working conductor, of a plurality of shortmovablzcontrolling-sections said sections being in circuit with a sourceof electrical energy and in line with the Working conductor, a

motor tor determining the position of eachsection, and means includingblock circuits for automatically controlling the operation of themotors.

13. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combinationWl'llh a work- 'ing conductor, of a plurality of short movablecontrolling-sections in line with the able controlling sections in linewith the.

working conductor, motors operating in normally closed circuits,connections whereby the motors determine the positions of thecontrolling-sections, a circuit breaker in each motor-circuit, and meansincluding block circuits for controlling the operation of the circuitbreakers.

15. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, the combinationwith a working-conduc'tor, of'a plurality of short controlling sectionsin circuit with a source of ing conductor, motors operating in normallyclosed circuits, connections whereby the ino tors determine thepositions of the controlling-sections, a circuit breaker in eachmotorcircuit, and means for controlling the operation of the circuitbreakers. I 16. In an automatic stopping-mechanism for railways, thecombination with a working-conductor, of a plurality of shortcontrolling-sections in circuit with a source of electrical energy andin line with the working conductor, motors operating in normally closedcircuits, connections whereby the motors'determine the positionsof thecontrol- 'ling sections, a circuit breaker in each motor circuit, andmeans including block circuits for controlling the operation of thecircuit breakers.

17. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combinationwith a plurality of short movable controlling sections in circuit with.a source of electrical energy,

of electrical devices for producing a move 11116 driver for renderingthemovement of a controlling section ineffective.

18. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combinationwith a work ingconductor, of a plurality of short movable controllingsections arranged along the;

conductor and in circuit with a source of electrical energy, a carhaving stopping devices, electrical devices for moving the sections torender them operative or inoperative with respect to the stoppingdevices,

electrical energy and in line with the workthe collector cooperates,

block circuits for governing the operation of said electrical devices,and means under the control of the driver for preventing the operationof the stopping devices notwithstanding the movement; of a controllingsection.

19. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combinationwith a car having a current collector and stopping devices, of a workingconductor with which a plurality of short controlling sections each ofsaid sections be: ing in circuit .with a source of electrical energy,means including block circuits for changing the condition of thecontrolling sections, an electrically operated actuator for the stoppingdevices, and a normally closed circuit including the collector and theactuator.

20. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combinationwith a car having a current collector and stopping devices, of a workingconductor with Which the collector cooperates, a plurality of shortcontrolling sections each of said sections being in circuit with asource of electrical energy, means including block circuits for changingthe condition of the controlling sections, an electrically operatedactuator for the stopping devices, circuit includin the collector andthe actuator, and signals the indications of which are changed inaccordance with the change in condition of the controlling sections.

21. In an automatic stopping mechanism a normally closed for 'railways,the combination with a car havinga current collector and stoppingdevices, of a working conductor, a plurality of short movablecontrolling sections each of said sections being in circuit with asource of electrical energy, motors for determining the positions of thesections, means including block circuits for controlling the operationof the motors, an electricall operated actuator for the stoppingmechanism, and a normally closed circuit including the collector and theactuator.

22. In an automatic stopping mechanism for railways, the combinationwith a car having a current collector and stopping devices, of aWorking-conductor, a plurality of short movable controlling sectionseach of-said-sections being in circuit with a source of electricalenergy, motors for determining the positions of the sections, meansincluding block circuits for controlling the operation of the motors, anelectrically operated actuator for the stopping mechanism, a normallyclosed circuit including the collector and the actuator, and signals theindications of which are changed as the sections are moved.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses. I WILLIAM J. \VILGUS.

Witnesses:

Tn. SELIERI, VIDA SUTTON. I

